Email: andrewc@patch.com
Phone: 516-557-4418
Welcome Video: http://patch.com/A-3xM
Hometown: Orignally from East Greenwich, RI; now residing in Levittown, N.Y.
Birthday: Nov. 5
Andrew Coen grew up in East Greenwich, R.I. but has been living on Long Island since graduating from Hofstra University in 2002 with a B.A. in Print Journalism and minor in History. Since Hofstra, Coen has worked as a reporter for the Nassau Herald and at financial publications at Institutional Investor News and Crain Communications. Coen has also worked as an editor for a Hofstra University athletics blog called "Inside the Pride" and co-hosted a radio show about Long Island high school sports for "Ultimate Athlete Magazine." Coen considers himself a major news junkie who enjoys following politics and is a die-hard sports fan, especially when it involves Hofstra teams.
Your Beliefs
At Patch, we promise always to report the facts as objectively as possible and otherwise adhere to the principles of good journalism. However, we also acknowledge that true impartiality is impossible because human beings have beliefs. So in the spirit of simple honesty, our policy is to encourage our editors to reveal their beliefs to the extent they feel comfortable. This disclosure is not a license for you to inject your beliefs into stories or to dictate coverage according to them. In fact, the intent is the opposite: we hope that the knowledge that your beliefs are on the record will cause you to be ever mindful to write, report and edit in a fair, balanced way. And if you ever see evidence that we failed in this mission, please let us know.
Politics
I follow politics very closely and do have some strong feelings on certain issues but I take great pride in not letting my political beliefs interfere with my reporting and always strive to be as objective as possible.
Religion
How religious would you consider yourself? (casual, observant, devout, non religious) I was raised Jewish but consider myself very secular.
Local Hot-Button Issues
The issue of installing cell towers in Wantagh and surrounding communities has become a local hot button issue lately as many people are concerned about having these poles erected near residential areas. A major challenge facing both Wantagh and Seaford and other communities on Long Island is trying to balance the importance of having a high quality public school system without placing too much of a tax burden on residents. The lack of affordable housing and rental apartments is also a major problem that is driving many young people who want to live in the area they grew up to leave Long Island.
What do you think are the most important issues facing the community? Where do you stand on each of these issues? I think supporting one's public school system is very important both for the benefit of the local children and to keep property values high. Districts on Long Island like Wantagh and Seaford face an extreme challenge when crafting budget proposals because of a lack of state aid from Albany as well as not having much of a commercial tax base to work with, resulting in tough decisions by the school board and administration. It is vital that residents are educated about the reasons behind a budget proposal so they can make an informed decision when entering the voting booth.
Organization installs directors; passes resolution regarding how three sewage treatment plants will be handled.
Organization installs directors; passes resolution regarding how three sewage treatment plants will be handled.
Organization installs directors; passes resolution regarding how three sewage treatment plants will be handled.
Five candidates in two school districts file petitions to run for trustee seats prior to Monday's 5 p.m. deadline.
Det. James Coll of NYPD's Emergency Services Unit helped save three workers that were left stranded outside a 17th-floor window of condominium complex.
Wildlife center on Massapequa-Seaford border to open for first time since August 2010.
Group to spring back into action after learning budget proposal only funds one athletic season at Seaford Middle School.
Seaford wildlife center to open to public for first time since $300,000 renovation project commenced in August 2010.
Warriors score first 14 goals and win annual neighborhood battle, 18-6.
Wantagh High School graduate Anthony Biscardi returning to neighborhood when his second-ranked UMass team battles Drexel at Bethpage High School.
Kellenberg High School senior James Pustorino organizes volunteer effort to enhance outside of his former elementary school as part of an Eagle Scout project.
Wantagh resident Sandi Vega helps push for safety measure after losing her daughter Brittany in pedestrian acccident.
Funding for two new athletic fields at Seaford park coming from 2006 Environmental Bond Act.
Recent incident reports in Wantagh and Seaford from the 7th Precinct.
Nassau County police car hits another vehicle on Jackson Avenue while en route to a call in the area.
Wantagh resident Sandi Vega helps push for safety measure after losing her daughter Brittany in pedestrian acccident.
John Dano coaching small business owners on how to improve practices and reach their potential.
Firefighters able to quickly extinguish structure fire before it spread to home on Francis Drive Monday evening.
Donations and clothes being collected for families at two homes that incurred serious fire damage in late March.
Spending plan passes with 68 percent support.
